Running Blind

I love watching the Olympic Channel. I'm low-key secretly competing in my mind, and I love learning the intricacies of the different sports.

For example, did you know that in curling, the team is called a rink, not the ice patch they play on? (That section of ice is aptly named a sheet.) Or did you know that the axel is the only jump in ice skating where a skater starts the jump facing forward? And did you know that in the Paralympics, some athletes run blind?

I watched in amazement last evening as the racers took their marks, assisted by their guides, eyes covered by a mask. The runners had slipped on one hand what looked like a large rubber tether with a loop at each end. Once the guides had assured that the runners were in a safe starting stance, they took their own mark next to the athlete, complete with their own set of starting blocks. The guides slipped their hand around the other end of the tether, and once the shot sounded, they were all off.

Both the athlete and the guide were running full speed, side by side. Their arms pumping, down the track they flew. The athlete could feel by the tension on the tether where the guide was. You could watch as the guide called out toward the finish line for the runner to tilt their body forward to help cross the line sooner. 

No athlete could see the finish line. 

No athlete knew who was running faster or slower. 

No athlete was carefully stepping to ascertain their environment as one could assume a visually impaired person might.

Each runner ran full-speed-ahead, without fear of others or injury because they knew their guide was not only watching out for them, but running with them. 

         I had chills.

Here we are. Assigned a race to run (Hebrews 12:1). Given the guidance of the Creator Himself. Called to be bold, fearless, and to press on to win the prize (1 Cor 9:24). 

Not to worry about those running their own race around us.

Not to worry about when the finish line arrives.

Not to walk in fear of what might happen, what could happen, or even what will happen.

To run strong and secure because we have a Guide who prepares us, who runs with us, who protects us, who calls to us, who orders our steps, and who never leaves us.  

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail nor abandon you." (NLT)

AAAAAHHHHH!!! Isn't that AMAZING?!? To think that the God of all Creation--as in, THE CREATOR of ALLLLLL the things--is personally going ahead of us? With us? And that He cannot fail?!?

So often when I'm running the race set before me, I have eyes that compare my lane to another's. Or I wonder if perhaps there is an obstacle in my path I should worry about. I've wondered at times how I'm even going to finish, because it feels like I have a spiritual leg cramp (the breakthrough I need seems to be taking too long). 

But if I will listen, I can hear Him, guiding me through His Word. If I will pay attention, I can feel Him leading me. And if I don't stop running, I am assured victory. 

So keep running, beloved. Whatever you do, don't stop now. 

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing."